I glanced from one beautiful animal to another he watched keenly,
half expectant and half incredulous.
It did not take long to choose. In the foreground stood a magnificent
brown colt, that caught and held the attention, as it watched every
movement with ears shot forward, and nostrils quivering; and as I pointed
it out Jack's boyish face lit up with surprise and pleasure.
"Talk of luck!" Dan cried, as usual withholding the benefit of the doubt.
"You've picked Jack's fancy."
But it was Jack himself who surprised every one, for, forgetting his
monosyllables, he said with an indescribable ring of fellowship in his
voice, "She's picked out the best in the whole mob," and turned back to
his world among the horses with his usual self-possession.
Dan's eyes opened wide. "Whatever's come to Jack?" he said; but seemed
puzzled at the Maluka's answer that he was "only getting educated." The
truth is, that every man has his vulnerable point, and Jack's was horses.
When the mob had been put through the yards, all the unbroken horses were
given into the Quiet Stockmas's care, and for the next week or two the
stockyard became the only place of real interest; for the homestead,
waiting for the Wet to lift, had settled down to store lists, fencing,
and stud books.
